People sit on the grass and read books. [Photo/wzrb.com.cn]

Wenzhou celebrated World Book Day with the launch of its 2024 reading campaign, Reading Wenzhou, and the Zhouyuan Reading Month at Zhouyuan 

Primary School on April 21.

The event highlighted the city's commitment to literacy, showcasing data from the 2023 Wenzhou Public Reading Survey Report.

The report revealed a notable increase in reading among Wenzhou's adults, with an average of 38.53 books read per person in 2023, including 12.64 print books, 17.86 e-books, and 8.03 audiobooks — significant growth from the previous year.

A survey on reading habits showed that Wenzhou's young families are cultivating a culture of reading, with parents dedicating an average of 38.44 minutes daily to read with their children. This investment in shared reading time underscores the importance placed on literacy in the home.

The rise of digital reading is evident, with 23.9 percent of adults reporting an increase in their consumption of digital content, enjoying the convenience and pleasure it offers.

The surge in digital reading has also boosted residents' spending on reading materials. Over half of the adult population prefers to purchase books, with online bookstores being the top choice, followed by traditional bookstores and wholesale markets. Moreover, library borrowing remains a popular option for 26.8 percent of book lovers.

More than a celebration, Wenzhou's reading series is a movement towards transforming the city into a hub of literary excellence, where reading is not just a pastime but a way of life.